The bids were opened last month and represent the bulk of the construction work involved in building the tracks, road, bridges, trails, tunnels, stations, and other facilities needed for the 14.5-mile light rail line.

Metropolitan Council and St. Paul city officials reported in roughly two years of operation, there has been more than $4.2 billion in economic development along the Green Line, in addition to large investments on a future new rail line and extension.

The 11-mile line will provide station-to-station service from the Apple Valley Transit Station to the Mall of America, where it will connect with Blue Line (formerly Hiawatha Line) trains for easy travel to the airport, Metrodome, downtown Minneapolis and Target Field.